Time for another FREE workshop and “poetry slam” at the Vancouver Public Library. Usually the DDYS happens on the 1st Wednesday of the month but due to a scheduling conflict we will be taking place on the 2nd Wednesday which is February 10th. We will be on the lower level in the Peter Kaye room. The workshop starts at 5:30 and is open to poets 13-20 years of age as is the “poetry slam.”

This month we will have a guest host: Jillian Christmas as I will be away.

We are excited to have as our workshop leader and mini feature–Dana ID Matthews

Workshop Description: My focus is on developing a style you can call your own, whilst still providing you with fundamental rhyming techniques and a few of my own.

1. 2-5 games focused on rhyme and rhythm techniques

2. 1-3 Games designed around personification

3. 2-5 Writing excessive designed to train your brain to ”think deeper”

4. 1-3 Writing exercises around continuing to write even when you think it’s ”bad” and overall honesty to yourself in poetry

“Dana, a Haitian born poet & MC, was adopted and raised in Timmins/London, Ontario. Now an independent Vancouver based artist, Dana has a voice that naturally commands the attention of anyone in the room. His diverse lyricism springs from his unique upbringing & extensive spoken word poetry background. Dana’s first memories of writing were in form of French short stories, as he was raised bi-lingual. He first got into Hip-Hop music after being introduced to it at 13 years of age.

Since then, Dana has made a multitude of collaboration music with people all over the world through the help of social media. Notably, his professional Hip-Hop mixtape, “Hippies & Aliens”, released in 2014 under a small label to glowing audience response. Currently, Dana has released an independent mixtape called ” Piece of Pie”, and is working on expanding his resume, focusing on building his own brand that surrounds his recording, engineering, & editing skills.”

AGAIN THIS IS A FREE EVENT.

We also acknowledge that this will be taking place on unceded Coast Salish Territory. The venue is wheelchair accessible and you can take an elevator to the lower level where the workshop is taking place if you need to.